Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406020138
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WENDI GIBSON RICHERT STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The senior class motto, it turns out, couldn't have been more precise in summing up this class. The sharp-looking heather-gray shirt reads on the front, "We open doors for others to follow."
And, on the back, "Seniors rule, so deal with it."
Both are true here, where 294 seniors will graduate June 16. The Class of '94, indeed, has opened some doors in its last year, all with the hope that succeeding classes will keep them open. In that respect, the Class of '94 does rule, and many are happy to deal with that.
"It's because of the senior leadership that we've had such a wonderful year," says Susan Wenk, a social studies teacher and Student Government Association sponsor. "I don't think there's a better group of seniors in the entire country."
Sitting with five of the seniors in the guidance office, it's easy to see why Wenk thinks the way she does. These motivated students are more than proud of their accomplishments this year; they are proud of their school.
"Fleming has had a bad reputation," says Tiffany Taylor, this year's SGA president who plans to study business administration at Virginia Tech. Her class has taken it upon itself, she says, to prove that there's more to Fleming than a bad rap.
The dedication to rebuild Fleming's image originated with a pep talk by Principal Alyce Szathmary when this year's seniors were juniors, says Al Holland Jr., class vice president who plans to go to North Carolina Agriculture and Technical College. Their dedication to their school, he hopes, will be an example for other classes.
Stacie Reedy, a cheerleader and softball player who will study pre-med at Virginia Tech, counts off just a few of the firsts these seniors initiated: a class trip to the Bahamas and Florida, a carnival to raise money for the trip, a talent show to benefit the March of Dimes, a new twist to the familiar pep rallies, a senior-led orientation to introduce eighth-graders to Fleming life.
The year also brought about a class-organized senior picnic; carnation, balloon and song deliveries by seniors for Valentine's Day; distribution of 1,650 sodas by seniors to the teachers and students of Fleming; and a second year of campus beautification by Project X, begun by these seniors when they were juniors.
"It's all about wanting to be different," says Otis Ferguson, Fleming's head student trainer and track athlete who'll enter East Tennessee State University's athletic training program in the fall. "Because everything's been the same for the past four years."
With the year's activities about to end - Wenk guesses they've averaged about three a week - the looming graduation has this class both excited and a little scared.
Reedy and Ferguson are nervous about going to college; Holland is concentrating on succeeding once there. Michael Souma, Fleming's football, softball and wrestling captain who'll attend Ferrum College, agrees with all of them. He also dreads the prospect of losing touch with his high school friends, so he plans to take lots of pictures in these dwindling days.
Ferguson sums up the group's end-of-the-year thoughts as they proudly show off their campus. "I love Fleming. I'm going to miss it; I already know it.
"I love this school."
by CNB